hvactec
VIP Member
10/22/2011
Is hyperinflation coming? If so, when will it start and how bad will it be?
In the United States, the Federal Reserve has been printing a lot of dollars. This would normally lead to inflation, but that hasnt happened just yet. There are a number of reasons why were not seeing inflation, and these same reasons could also contribute to a future hyperinflation. It could start by the end of 2011, sometime in 2012, later or maybe never.
A lot of entities are holding dollars as a perceived safe asset. This includes individuals, foreign governments and companies. Todays Wall Street Journal talks about Americans paying off debt and avoiding any more borrowing. Foreign governments are reportedly building up huge reserves of US cash and equivalents. See The Economist on Chinas foreign reserves for an example.
In politics we also hear references to US companies holding lots of money overseas, keeping the money there to avoid taxes if and when they bring the money home. There is a push to reduce taxes on such money if repatriated, with the claim that the flood of money would increase tax revenue and create jobs. See a recent Washington Post article for that.
There is a nightmare scenario. When people anticipate rapid inflation, they spend cash quickly to acquire things before the money loses value. This spending increases demand and that increases prices, accelerating inflation in a vicious cycle Hyperinflation.
Governments face pressure to increase salaries and prices paid for other goods and services and they print money to do so. The printing of more money further accelerates the inflation.
We might be headed there. With people, companies and governments holding piles of cash, the situation is ripe if something kick-starts it. Proposals to reduce taxes for companies to bring their money home are an example of a potential spark. It doesnt have to be a policy decision it could just happen, like lightning in a dry forest.
Once a spark ignites the fire, more and more of those holding cash will start spending it, whether on durable or consumer goods, or on assets like real estate or stocks.
From an investment perspective, there are two challenges. First, is it possible to time when hyperinflation might begin. I dont think its possible to do so.
Second, if we do see hyperinflation coming, are there safe places to put your money? Again this is a tough one. Many of my friends are fond of gold. But that goes against the investing maxim Buy low, sell high. Gold is very expensive right now.
Real estate seems a good potential investment because it appears low right now, but thats where timing comes in. With so many potential foreclosures on the horizon, real estate values could drop much further in the next few years.
Its far from clear that hyperinflation is coming. Japan has been through much of what were going through and has had deflation seem to be a bigger problem the opposite of inflation. See The Economist on deflation in Japan.
read more Hyperinflation: 2011, 2012 or …? « NY: Stop Wasting Money
Is hyperinflation coming? If so, when will it start and how bad will it be?
In the United States, the Federal Reserve has been printing a lot of dollars. This would normally lead to inflation, but that hasnt happened just yet. There are a number of reasons why were not seeing inflation, and these same reasons could also contribute to a future hyperinflation. It could start by the end of 2011, sometime in 2012, later or maybe never.
A lot of entities are holding dollars as a perceived safe asset. This includes individuals, foreign governments and companies. Todays Wall Street Journal talks about Americans paying off debt and avoiding any more borrowing. Foreign governments are reportedly building up huge reserves of US cash and equivalents. See The Economist on Chinas foreign reserves for an example.
In politics we also hear references to US companies holding lots of money overseas, keeping the money there to avoid taxes if and when they bring the money home. There is a push to reduce taxes on such money if repatriated, with the claim that the flood of money would increase tax revenue and create jobs. See a recent Washington Post article for that.
There is a nightmare scenario. When people anticipate rapid inflation, they spend cash quickly to acquire things before the money loses value. This spending increases demand and that increases prices, accelerating inflation in a vicious cycle Hyperinflation.
Governments face pressure to increase salaries and prices paid for other goods and services and they print money to do so. The printing of more money further accelerates the inflation.
We might be headed there. With people, companies and governments holding piles of cash, the situation is ripe if something kick-starts it. Proposals to reduce taxes for companies to bring their money home are an example of a potential spark. It doesnt have to be a policy decision it could just happen, like lightning in a dry forest.
Once a spark ignites the fire, more and more of those holding cash will start spending it, whether on durable or consumer goods, or on assets like real estate or stocks.
From an investment perspective, there are two challenges. First, is it possible to time when hyperinflation might begin. I dont think its possible to do so.
Second, if we do see hyperinflation coming, are there safe places to put your money? Again this is a tough one. Many of my friends are fond of gold. But that goes against the investing maxim Buy low, sell high. Gold is very expensive right now.
Real estate seems a good potential investment because it appears low right now, but thats where timing comes in. With so many potential foreclosures on the horizon, real estate values could drop much further in the next few years.
Its far from clear that hyperinflation is coming. Japan has been through much of what were going through and has had deflation seem to be a bigger problem the opposite of inflation. See The Economist on deflation in Japan.
read more Hyperinflation: 2011, 2012 or …? « NY: Stop Wasting Money
